As life slows down, your metabolism also starts to slow down as the amount of daily exercise decreases too. Many people complain that their biggest trouble area is the ring of fat that starts to collect around your waist- the dreaded "Love Handles".

The fitness industry has certainly cashed in on our phobia about our flabby bellies and target many products as the best way to "battle the bulge".

The nice thing about the boom is the variety of fun and interesting exercises that have grown from it. No matter what method you choose, the combination of food and fitness is most effective.

By combining a healthy diet- which includes little to no fried foods and sugary desserts and sweets http://greenfertility.blogspot.com/2009/11/simple-cut-down-on-fried-foods-reduce.html in combination with at least 20-30 minutes of *exercise everyday as a normal standard should start to feel a bit healthier and muscle tone should improve. http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/exercise/a/enoughexercise.htm

If you are targeting certain problem areas of your body, like the love handles fat around your waist, then you should add some exercises specific for that area. http://www.weightlossforall.com/exercise-love-handles.htm

Basically any exercise that targets the abs, core, back, belly, waist, hips, obliques or love-handles will work on this problem area. http://www.myfit.ca/exercisedatabase/search.asp?muscle=Oblique&other=Love%20Handles

There are many exercise gurus like Billy's Bootcamp http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Blanks-Ab-Bootcamp/dp/B0009OOA3K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1266709692&sr=8-2, Perfect Hips Belly dance workout http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Hips-Belly-Dance-Workout/dp/B000VUA2T8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1266709832&sr=8-2, Turbo Jam- Ab Jam http://www.amazon.com/Turbo-Jam-Ab-Chalene-Johnson/dp/B000LBU14S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1266709893&sr=1-1, Core Rhythms http://www.amazon.com/RHYTHMS-Exercise-Program-SCULPTING-COLLECTION/dp/B001QVFPAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1266709989&sr=1-1, Salsa dance workouts http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=salsa+dance+workout&x=0&y=0, and Hip-Hop dance http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hip-hop+dance+workout&x=0&y=0 workouts.

It is important to find an exercise that you enjoy doing or a video you like following that you can do regularly (3-4 times a week) if you want to see significant results.http://exercise.about.com/cs/abs/a/strengthenabs.htm

Anyone with health issues or who has never done exercise before should consult with a doctor before starting any new exercise program.http://www.weightawareness.com/topics/doc.xml?__topic_id=111&doc_id=1373

Before you get going on the actual steps, think about your reasons for wanting lose your love handles and write them down somewhere you can see them, this can be a motivation to keep up your new regime.

Some of the exercises for abs and obliques use an exercise ball. It may be useful to buy one as well as make sure you have stretchy comfortable clothes to use when doing your exercise.

It is recommended to give yourself a day or two off in between workouts to let your muscles recover. The Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/overuse-injury/MY01092 also suggests that you start off slow and build up into longer workouts over time. It is also a good idea to mix up your exercise routine with a balance of different exercises for other muscle groups to avoid injuring any specific area because of overuse.

If you are determined to make changes in your fitness and body appearance, it makes sense to write down your specific and realistic goals somewhere you can view them often while you are trying to achieve it. In terms of making healthy changes in your life, Dr.Gourmet http://www.drgourmet.com/eatinghealthy/motion.shtml recommends writing your goals down on a calendar and mark dates weeks or months down the line with specific targets written on them.

It is also important to share them with a friend or family member to keep yourself accountable to your goal. If you don't tell anyone, it is less likely you will follow through. http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/02/20/being-committed-to-being-committed/comment-page-1/

It is also important to set up rewards that make you feel good about your progress along the way. When you review your progress every week or every other week, have a reward idea ready and waiting like "buy new clothes when I lose 2 inches" or "join XYZ gym when I keep up the exercise routine consistently for 2 weeks". http://www.wikihow.com/Set-Goals

Step 1: Weigh and measure yourself- writing your stats on a calendar near your scale. (Plan on updating the stats every few days to 1 week and always try to weigh yourself at the same time of day). Make your target accountable by telling someone your target. http://www.annarbor.com/passions-pursuits/be-accountable-for-keeping-your-resolutions-this-year/

Step 2: Change your diet: cut down (or out) deep fried foods, condiments like mayonnaise, butter, salad dressings and fill your diet with fresh vegetables and fruits in each meal.http://www.baynews9.com/content/8/2010/2/20/580233.html?title=Cut%20calories%20without%20a%20diet

Step 3: Plan activities to get your heart-rate up at least 20-30 minutes daily: walk, run, get on a treadmill, bicycle, swim, play tennis or any sport or activity that increases your heart rate (at least a little). Don't have 20 minutes to spare? Take the stairs 5 minutes instead of the elevator, 4 times a day and you've done it. http://www.acsm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home_Page&TEMPLATE=CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=7764

Step 4: Add at least one ab / abdominals, core, hip, belly, waist, obliques or back specific exercise 2-4 times a week: Choose an exercise video or exercise you can do regularly to see significant results. http://askthetrainer.com/best-core-exercises.html

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.